Radiant Wisdom

Daily Reflection: 1/2/2024 - James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. — James 3:13

The proper and primary way that wisdom is revealed is not through a pen, keyboard, or microphone, but through a life. It was this characteristic that made the early Christians distinct.

As Alan Kreider writes in, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Christians were not tasked with going out to evangelize by verbal engagement, but they were to bear witness through their lives.

According to Tertullian, the outsiders looked at the Christians and saw them energetically feeding poor people and burying them, caring for boys and girls who lacked property and parents, and being attentive to aged slaves and prisoners. They interpreted these actions as a "work of love." And they said, "Vide, look! How they love one another. They did not say "Aude, listen to the Christians' message"; they did not say, "Lege, read what they write." Hearing and reading were important, and some early Christians worked to communicate in these ways too. But we must not miss the reality: the pagans said look! Christianity's truth was visible; it was embodied and enacted by its members. — Alan Kreider

The world, by and large, is no longer asking if Christianity is true, in our post-truth culture people are looking for things that are good and beautiful. What a great opportunity to give them something to see.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ).

Therefore, let the people of God prioritize the expression of wisdom through our lives, trusting that the very life of Christ, implanted within us by his Spirit, will be made manifest through us, to a watching world.

Heavenly Father, you have called us to be the light of the world, not merely through what we say or do, but through our lives. As you call, equip us, that the world may see and seek thee, the true fount of wisdom, goodness, beauty and light.

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